Telangana: Dengue on the rise as 787 cases reported since 1 June

At least 584 cases of dengue have been reported in the Hyderabad district alone in the same period.

The Greater Hyderabad area — comprising Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal Malkajgiri districts — has reported 668 cases of dengue this year.

The Hyderabad district alone reported 257 cases of dengue in June and 144 cases till 10 July.

On the water-borne-disease front, the state has reported 6,405 cases of diarrhoea, 612 cases of dysentery, and 2,752 cases of typhoid since 1 June.

“As we have already conquered the Covid-19, now it’s time to conquer the seasonal diseases,” Telangana’s Director of Public Health Dr G Srinivasa Rao told reporters earlier this week.

This, despite the doctor confirming in the same speech that Covid-19 cases were rising, but the outbreak was in its endemic stage, with the disease now considered a seasonal one.

“Typhoid cases in the state are more than the dengue cases,” he added, claiming the department was reviewing the situation on a regular basis and making all efforts to bring it under control.

He, however, hit the headlines more for claiming — albeit jocularly — that pain puri consumption was leading to a rise in typhoid cases.

Precautionary steps

Rao also said the health department was coordinating with several stakeholders in the state.

“The health department is working in coordination with stakeholders such as the GHMC, and the departments of Municipal Administration as well as Panchayati Raj Development,” he said.

“We are working to prevent water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases. Dengue and typhoid case numers are the highest in the state, which is a cause for concern,” said Rao.

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad centre of the India Meteorological Department has issued fresh rain alerts for several districts of Telangana.

The health department is now conducting a review meeting as more rain will see a rise in the cases of seasonal diseases.

“We conducted a review of the health department as the rain has put lives on hold in various districts. The medical department is on alert as seasonal diseases are likely to continue even after the rains subside,” said Rao.